They’re in the air we breathe. The food we eat. And we consume thousands of these invisible particles every year, as much as a credit card’s worth of plastic by some estimates, or between 74,000 and 121,000 microplastic particles. Scientists first found these particles in the ocean and in the bodies of fish and mollusks, before discovering that our food and water—things we consume every day—are filled with them. And now scientists are detecting these microscopic pieces of broken down plastic are surrounding us in the air we breathe. The question now is what effects microplastics have on our health, and how can we avoid them?

What are microplastics?

We define microplastics as small pieces of plastic less than 5 millimeters in size and include nanoplastics which are between 1 nanometer (nm) and 1 micrometer (μm). Microplastics are both released directly into our environment in the form of intentionally-produced small particles such as plastic-coated fertilizers, and through secondary means when larger plastics break down into smaller pieces such as car tires or plastic packaging. The issue is that these pieces don’t break down completely, they simply become smaller and smaller—and pose a greater risk of consumption the smaller they get.

How we consume microplastics

Scientists now know that microplastics are in our bodies, in almost  every major organ, even in our cells.

In our air

We often think about air pollution as a threat that only exists outdoors. Indeed, car exhaust, manufacturing waste, and wildfire smoke all pose active threats to our health and well-being. But the EPA states that indoor air pollutants can be   up to 5x more concentrated indoors. Without proper ventilation or  air purification, pollutants can accumulate and pose a threat to your health. Now, this includes microplastics.

Fibers from clothing and furniture are one of the most common microplastics found in the air at home. If our clothing and upholstered furniture were still made of natural fibers like cotton and wool, this wouldn’t be an issue as the fibers would simply decompose into their organic components. But the majority of these items are now made from synthetic materials that fill the air with plastic, often treated with toxic flame retardants.

More alarming is the fact that in addition to inhalation, we absorb the toxic chemicals affixed to microplastics through our skin. According to a study in   Environment International, certain flame retardants can be absorbed through the skin, and that sweaty skin was more prone to this process.

In our food

While many microplastics are ingested through contact with plastic food containers, fruits and vegetables can contain microplastics by absorbing them from the soil through their root systems. An analysis of Americans’ diets estimates that we digest between   39,000-52,000 particles every year. Once microplastics are in our systems, they can even be passed from human to human in the form of breastmilk. That means we begin ingesting these invisible invaders literally from day 1.

In our water

If you’ve gotten this far, it should be no surprise that there is an alarmingly high amount of microplastics in water. And not just the oceans or our tap water. In fact, the water in so-called “purified” plastic bottles harbor some of the highest concentrations of these invisible particles. According to the American Chemical Society, “individuals who meet their recommended water intake through only bottled sources may be ingesting an additional 90000 microplastics annually, compared to 4000 microplastics for those who consume only tap water.”

The threat they pose

The health impact from ingesting, inhaling, and otherwise consuming microplastics is two-fold: What are the consequences of having plastic in the body, and what threat do the chemicals they contain pose? Unfortunately, the data is still unclear, but the concern is rising. Let’s look at what we do know.

When we inhale microplastics, the smallest pieces—under 10 micrometers—can reach the terminal part of the lungs, the alveoli, where they can either be trapped or passed into the bloodstream. If they are trapped in the alveoli, they can cause inflammation and potentially other chronic conditions like difficulty breathing, tiredness, and unintended weight loss.

However, if the microplastics are small enough to enter our bloodstream, they can spread to virtually any organ. Microplastics have been found in the liver, placenta, even breast milk. Our bodies are equipped with defense cells called macrophages that will attack foreign invaders, but unable to break down plastic, the macrophages themselves die. This process repeats, killing more and more macrophages, weakening our immune systems.

Plastic manufacturing uses over 10,000 chemicals with at least 2,400 known to be toxic to the human body: fire retardants, lubricants, solvents. According to the Washington Post, “In one   study in Italy, people with microplastics in the lining of their arteries were more likely to suffer heart attack, stroke or death from any cause. Another   report found that people with inflammatory bowel disease had higher concentrations of microplastics in their feces.”

While the correlations above have been observed, a causal link between microplastics and any specific disease has yet to be shown. Unfortunately, we are bombarded by a vast array of chemicals and toxins every day making it difficult to establish the health effects microplastics have on our health.

How to protect yourself from increased exposure to microplastics

While the specific dangers are still unknown, you can still limit your exposure to microplastics.

1. Choose Safer Food and Drink Options

Filter your water: Use a high-quality water filter that removes microplastics, such as a reverse osmosis system or carbon block filter. Avoid bottled water, which often contains microplastics.

Avoid plastic food containers: Opt for glass, stainless steel, or ceramic containers for food storage and reheating. Plastics can leach microplastics and chemicals into food, especially when heated.

Limit processed foods: Some studies suggest that processed foods may have higher levels of microplastic contamination. Opt for fresh, whole foods whenever possible.

2. Minimize Plastic Usage

Skip single-use plastics: Reduce reliance on plastic straws, cutlery, and plates. Use reusable alternatives made from stainless steel, bamboo, or glass.

Buy in bulk: Reduce packaging waste by purchasing bulk items and bringing your own reusable containers to the store.

Be mindful of packaging: Choose products with minimal or no plastic packaging, such as those wrapped in paper, cardboard, or glass.

3. Be Cautious with Clothing

Choose natural fibers: Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon shed microfibers during washing, which enter waterways. Opt for clothes made from natural fibers like cotton, wool, or hemp.

4. Get an air purifier

A known health risk of microplastics is the inhalation of plastic particles less than 2.5nm (PM2.5). Inhalation of any material—plastic or otherwise—can cause inflammation and irritation in the lungs. An air purifier equipped with a HEPA filter can trap these particles and reduce the amount you inhale.  Molekule air purifiers use the PECO-HEPA Tri-Power filter in all purifiers, meaning you can take advantage of the purifying promise of HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) that boasts a 99.97% capture rate of particles 0.3 microns or smaller.

In addition to plastic particulate matter, Molekule air purifiers capture or destroy irritating dust, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, bacteria, and viruses, leaving you with fresher, cleaner air for a healthier, happier home.